Question.
What's the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the word 'Date'.
Two people hanging out, hand-in-hand and acting all lovey-dovey. It's cute, chaotic, and slightly nerve-wracking — basically a rom-com in real life or something similar.
But that's for normal people.
Why?
Because 'normal' doesn't apply when you date the ice queen herself. She doesn't blush—She doesn't stammer—And she certainly doesn't giggle when you tell a joke—she raises an eyebrow like you're a mildly amusing experiment.
But it doesn't mean I hate it, it just makes her unique in her own way.
Now you might be wondering why am I telling you this now, well you know to pass time while I am getting ready or maybe I don't have anyone else to talk to—
Hissss
except Jörmi yeah my lovely snake.
Sigh...I need to make more human friends.
Jörmi, my ever-silent, ever-judgy pet snake, slithered lazily over my bedpost,He flicked his tongue at me—probably a sign of disappointment—before coiling into a perfect spiral.
"Don't look at me like that," I muttered to the snake, as I wore a black sleeveless shirt and pants through my inventor's equip function.
"Man!! This function is a cheat itself. And Jörmi one day I am going to make so many friends that you will crave my attention.
Jörmi hissed as if to say, Sure, bro.
"Anyways, it's almost time for me to leave I should get going. Take care of the cave for me, will you." He shook his head in up and down motion which I think was a nod.
---
As I stepped through the portal of the cave I was met with the eerie silence of the alleys.
Guess applying magic in this alley was a good idea.
Yes I applied magic on the exit of the ghost cave for safety reasons. Nevertheless, let's get back to the date.
We had decided to meet in the market but hadn't decide any specific location for us to meet in this huge place. Well finding her is not a problem for me anyways. As I focused through my haki I instantly knew where she was, she was leaning against a lamppost waiting like she knew I would find her.
She stood there, poised and polished like a statue carved from moonlight —arms crossed, one foot tapping gently against the cobbled street, lips pressed in that neutral, unreadable line.
Varay.
She was wearing a white shirt withf white pants and knee high boots that looked like her lance uniform and made her look devastatingly pretty.
She really likes white, huh.
I stepped toward her casually, hands in pockets. "Hello there, beautiful lady."
She turned her head slightly, eyes glancing at me from the corner—icy blue meeting mine. "You're late...again."
"And you are still pretty." I replied with a lopsided grin as I offered my hand to her....and she took it.
Her hand was cold to the touch—no surprise there—but the fact that she took it with mild hesitation?
That was the real win.
We began walking side by side, her strides precise and deliberate, mine relaxed like I had all the time in this world, which to be honest I did.
"So do you have anything in mind that you wanna do or maybe somewhere you want to walk." I started as we were walking leisurely in the market.
She thought for a moment. "No, anything is fine." And answered very shortly.
Typical Varay.
"Okay, strolling and talking it is then." I quipped with a slight smile and she just kept looking forward.
"So how's life going?" I asked a question to start the conversation.
She didn't answer immediately. She thought for a while like it was a kind of question that requires deep introspection.
"...Fine." She began. "I have been chosen as the personal protector of the royal family."
Finally she answered and I have to say I didn't like the answer. Now before you misunderstand, I don't hate them it's just...after what happened between them and ghost, let's just say we don't see eye to eye.
And what happened exactly well that's story for another time.
"Royal family ,huh. Sounds.... exhausting." I said, arching an eyebrow.
We passed a fruit stall where a merchant was aggressively trying to sell glowing, obviously overpriced mana apples. I guided her around it, hand still holding hers like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"It is," she said simply. "But it's my duty."
I stared at her for a beat. "And what about things that aren't your duty? Like, say, this date?"
She blinked, caught off guard for a second.
"It is....not an obligation." She answered averting her eyes.
"Heh...are you indirectly saying that you like me." I teased her and her ears turned little red.
"No." She said flatly but her red ears betrayed her.
I smirked. "Whoa, Varay. Careful, if you show your emotions like this people might think you're human."
She didn't answer but we kept walking, weaving through the bustling market crowd. Merchants shouted over one another, hawking everything from jewelry to grilled meat skewers that honestly smelled way too Good.
"You hungry?" I asked.
She looked around, as if considering. "I could eat."
"Oh? The Ice Queen needs sustenance?" I gasped dramatically.
"Shut up." She answered and I think she is getting used to the teasing.
We stopped by a food stall selling spicy beast meat skewers—something I knew she liked even if she'd never admit it out loud. I paid for two and handed her one without saying a word.
She accepted it with a quiet "thank you" that was barely audible over the sizzle of the grill.
We found a quiet bench by the fountain in the center of the market. The cascading water made for a peaceful backdrop as we ate in relative silence. Not awkward silence—just… companionable. Like we didn't need to fill every moment with words.
"Oh! Almost forgot, Varay I have a gift for you." I spoke as I withdrew a box from my 'storage ring' and I handed it to her.
She opend the box tentatively. " A necklace."
Yeah, it was a necklace with a silver chain and a white gem attached to it.
"Not just any necklace it is an upgraded version of phoenix wyrm's necklace can protect you in a dangerous situation."
Well it has many more features but they are not that important and yes it will also protect her from becoming a 'fake white' core mage and her potential. Not like she needs to know....yet.
Varay held the necklace delicately between her fingers, the gemstone catching the light and gleaming like frost under the moonlight.
Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "This looks... expensive."
"Don't worry about it, I made it so it's technically free." I replied, grinning.
"You made it?" she asked, turning the necklace slowly in her fingers." I didn't know you could make artifacts like these."
I smirked. " Well I am a man with many talents. Here, let me help you put this on."
She hesitated for a moment, just a flicker in her eyes—then nodded.
Turning her back to me, she lifted her hair in that smooth, composed way of hers. Still, I noticed the tiniest shiver run down her spine when my fingers brushed against the nape of her neck.
"Cold?" I asked, my voice low, almost teasing.
"No," she replied evenly.
I clasped the necklace gently around her neck. The silver clicked shut, and the white gem settled just below her collarbone, glowing faintly like it was syncing with her mana.
It looked… right on her. Like it had always been hers.
"There," I said. "Perfect."
She turned back around, her expression unreadable—classic Varay. But her fingers brushed over the gem like she was unsure if it was real or not.
"It's beautiful," she said, voice so soft I almost didn't catch it.
"Of course it is," I replied smoothly. "It's on you."
We sat in silence for a while, the kind where neither of us felt the need to fill the air.
She broke the silence first.
"Kael," she said quietly, her gaze fixed on the glimmering gem resting on her chest.
I turned toward her, eyebrow raised. Her tone wasn't cold—not exactly. But it carried a weight I wasn't used to .
"Hm?"
Her eyes didn't meet mine at first. "I have been wondering something." She bagan. "You're strong… too strong for someone who's supposedly just a potion seller and a artificer.... apparantly."
Ah.
I leaned back slightly on the bench, stretching my arms across the backrest. " Is that a problem?"
"It's not," she replied after a beat. "But I can't stop thinking about it."
Here it comes.
She finally looked at me, icy blue piercing and unwavering. "Why don't you do something with that strength?"
I didn't respond right away.
Not because I didn't have an answer. I have enough answers some lies, some truths and some half truths.
Now how should I answer her?
Tell the truth?
Or something that wouldn't spoil this date?
"…Define 'something'," I said eventually, my voice low, casual—but not mocking.
"You could be helping the people. Adventurers always struggle to protect the borders. Towns gets decimated by the beast attacks. Children get thrust into wars they don't even understand. And yet, you stay hidden. Like it doesn't even matter and I personally feel like you should be in my position instead."
I stared at her, watching the passion creep into her voice—not anger, not judgement, but frustration.
Real.
Human frustration.
"You act like this continent isn't your problem."
Sigh...
"Because It isn't," I said simply.
Her eyes narrowed.
I sighed. "At least, not yet."
Varay's lips pressed into a thin line. "So that's it? You'll act when it becomes your problem?"
"No," I said softly. "Ok, let me ask you something. Why do you think this continent is your problem?"
Her brows furrowed. "Because it is my duty to protect this country and its people."
"Exactly." I said as I tilted my head toward the fountain. "You have people you care about. You have someone you want to protect. You have attachments whereas I don't....well unless you change that."
Varay went quiet.
Not the usual calm silence she wore like armor—but something else. Thoughtful. Maybe even conflicted.
Her fingers gently traced the gem at her neck. "So you're saying… because I have ties to this place, it's my responsibility? And because you don't… it's not yours?"
"Pretty much,yeah." I replied, my voice softer now.
I have thought about it. Arthur faught in the war because he wanted a peaceful life with his loved ones and we all know what happened.
It's not like I am not going to do anything. I am going to save everyone who can be saved and create a good ending for everyone.
And well it's not like I don't have anyone, I have twin horn as friends and maybe....a girlfriend (unofficially).
Then you might be wondering why did I say that to her....
.
.
.
.
.
...well I just wanted to and maybe speed up our relationship, maybe.
Varay was still staring at me, her gaze unreadable as always. But I saw the way her fingers gripped the edge of her seat, just a little tighter.
"You're frustrating," she muttered.
"I can be less frustrating, if you become my girlfriend that is. And maybe then I will have a reason to do 'something'. Won't you agree?"
She looked away again, but I caught it—that twitch at the corner of her lips. Not quite a smile, but not not a smile either.
"…I still think you should be doing more." she said not meeting my eyes.
"And I still think we're talking way too much politics for a date that was supposed to involve meat, markets, and maybe some light handholding." I replied.
I reached out and gently brushed my fingers against hers again. "This date was very eventful from all the dates we had, don't you think."
She didn't respond at first. Just sat there, fingers slowly curling around mine.
Then, softly—she said.
"…It was."
"Anyways let's head back,it's almost midnight." I stood up and offered her a hand again.
Her fingers slid into mine like they belonged there.
No hesitation this time.
"You know," I said after a while, my tone casual, "I had a whole list of cheesy lines ready in case the date went south. Wanna hear one?"
Varay didn't look at me, but I saw the twitch at the corner of her mouth again. "No."
"Hahahahah." I laughed out loud seeing her reaction.
And with that our little chaotic date came to an eventual end. But who would have guessed that what surprise was waiting for me back in the cave.
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CHAPTER END.
A.N.
I know I know I am late, but hey atleast I am here.
Anyways, how was the chapter and what surprise is waiting for him.
You can give suggestions and criticism here.
Thank You, enjoy.